Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Study finds gambling more common among U.S. adults than alcohol dependence

After age 21, problem gambling is considerably more common among U.S. adults than alcohol dependence, even though alcohol dependence has received much more attention, according to researchers at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions.

25 Mar 2011

Positive top-line results from Targacept's TC-5619 Phase 2 trial in adults with ADHD

Targacept, Inc today announced top-line results from a Phase 2 proof of concept trial of TC-5619 as a treatment for adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

25 Mar 2011

State roundup: Vt. closer to single payer plan

After a full day and evening of debate, the Vermont House gave preliminary approval to health care reform legislation that's designed to put the state on the path toward a single payer system. ... The heart of the bill is the creation of a five person Health Care Board, modeled after the Public Service Board, which will oversee virtually every aspect of health care in the state.

25 Mar 2011

Researchers identify gene that can predict hypersensitivity to epilepsy drug

Research published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. A multinational team of scientists led by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the University of Liverpool has identified a gene that could indicate if epilepsy patients starting a common drug treatment are likely to experience side-effects ranging from a mild skin irritation to the potentially fatal Steven-Johnson Syndrome.

25 Mar 2011

Children with epilepsy more likely to have psychiatric symptoms

A newly published report reveals that children with epilepsy are more likely to have psychiatric symptoms, with gender a determining factor in their development.

25 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Sebelius, Vilsack, Weiner defend reform law; pro/con on seniors' access to health care

As former governors from states with large rural populations, we cheered this new health-care law. We knew that it would give Americans more freedom in their health-care choices, lower costs and improve the quality of care, especially for those in rural communities.

25 Mar 2011

Religious people more prone to obesity: Study explores link

A new study has shown that people who frequently attend religious services are significantly more likely to become obese by the time they reach middle age. The finding is surprising especially considering that religious people tend to be in better health than others, said study author Matthew J. Feinstein, a medical student at Northwestern University in Chicago. Feinstein said, “It highlights a particular group that appears to be at a greater risk of becoming obese and remaining obese…It's a group that may benefit from targeted anti-obesity interventions and from obesity prevention programs.”

24 Mar 2011

Diabetes management accepted for coverage by Chemical Abstracts

Future Medicine Ltd announces today that its new journal Diabetes Management (ISSN 1758-1907) which launched in January 2011 has been selected for coverage by Chemical Abstracts.

24 Mar 2011

News reports discuss Japan's disaster preparedness, health situations on the ground

According to a report published in the Lancet on Tuesday, Japan's medical and aid response to the earthquake and tsunami is being challenged by "the sheer scale of the devastation, widespread damage to supply routes and concerns about radiation leaks from a stricken nuclear power plant".

24 Mar 2011

High unemployment can pose risk of mental ill health in young people

High unemployment among young people poses a risk for mental ill health and creates an evil circle which in the long term can result in youths ending up outside the labour market.

24 Mar 2011

Brain's pleasure and reward circuitry gets a big boost after a sleepless night

A sleepless night can make us cranky and moody. But a lesser known side effect of sleep deprivation is short-term euphoria, which can potentially lead to poor judgment and addictive behavior, according to new research from the University of California, Berkeley.

24 Mar 2011

After first intercourse men's satisfaction with appearance increases, but for women it decreases

Having sex for the first time can improve or degrade your self-image depending on whether you are male or female, according to Penn State researchers. On average, college-age males become more satisfied with their appearance after first intercourse, whereas college-age females become slightly less satisfied.

24 Mar 2011

Rexahn completes 33% of 300 patient enrollment in Serdaxin Phase IIb clinical trial for major depressive disorder

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing potential best in class oncology and CNS therapeutics, today announced that it has enrolled 33 percent of the total projected patients required for its Phase IIb clinical trial of Serdaxin to treat major depressive disorder (MDD).

24 Mar 2011

Report highlights common problems in Nordic mental health care reforms

In Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden reforms within psychiatry have transformed inpatient care to the point where it has increasingly been replaced by outpatient care.

23 Mar 2011

Death of parents can impact child's health

The death of parents entails an increase in their children's risk of dying. This is shown in a new study performed by Mikael Rostila, a researcher at the Center for Health Equity Studies in Sweden, and Jan Saarela, a researcher at Åbo Akademi University in Finland.

23 Mar 2011

GoodTherapy.org launches new syndicated advice-column for psychotherapy problems

GoodTherapy.org recently launched its new, syndicated bi-weekly column "Dear GoodTherapy.org"; aimed at answering real questions for real peoples' problems about psychotherapy, marriage counseling and mental health issues.

23 Mar 2011

Health costs: Fla., Minn. lawmakers spar on cuts; Washington State pressed to fund more medical devices for patients

When Sen. Joe Negron released a proposal Monday to cut at least $1 billion from health- and human-services programs, it was a first step in what likely will be a contentious budget process. The proposal immediately drew criticism for deep cuts to hospital funding, mental-health services and the Medically Needy program. And Tuesday, Negron's House counterpart will release a budget proposal that will differ on key issues.

23 Mar 2011